Oil-filter member



Dec. 2, 1930. C, w. McKlNLEY 1,783,924

OIL FILTER MEMBER Original Filed March 11, 1926 75 Sheets-Sme? l Dec. 2, 1936. C, W, MCK|N| EY 1,783,924

OIL FILTER MEMBER Original Filed March ll, 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ----1 n vente@ alloxncq,

Dec. 2, 1930.

c. w. MCKINLEY 1,783,924

OIL FILTER MEMBER Original Filed March 11. 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Dec. 2,- 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT orrici;

CHARLES W. MCKINLEY, 0F FLINT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR T0 A C SPARK PLUG COM- PANY, 0F FLINT, MICHIGAN, A COMPANY OF MICHIGAN i OIL-FILTER MEMBER Original application tiled March 11, 1926, Serial No. 93,944, and in Great Britain February 21, 1927. Divided and this application led November 7, 1927. Serial No. 231,673.

Theinvention relates to devices for separating solids from fluids and, while obviously of more general application, has been especially designed for, and will be herein described as applied to, the removal of impurities from lubricants. In the operation of mechanism in which a body of oil is maintained in a storage space, as, for example in the crankcase of an internal combustion engine, from which the oil i's supplied to various parts to be lubricated, it is desirable to provide means whereby a portion, at least, of the circulating oil may be continuously passed through a filtering device. Th'e oil may be thereby maintained in a relatively purer condition, its efficiency as a lubricant enhanced and removal or renewal of the body of ,oil rendered necessary much less frequently.

The invention contemplates, therefore, and has as one of its objects, the provision pf a filtering device in which are combined the advantages of compactness, eiiciency, long life, simplicity of construction, and chea-pness. The device furthermore, because of its port ability and ease of installation and repair, its capability of operation for lon" periods without attention, and itsiadaptability for product-ion in large quantities at relatively low cost, is peculiarly fitted for use in connection with automobile power plants and in similar situations when like qualities are desired. More specifically, the invention aims to afford a great area of effective filtering medium with a small space and with the minimum of material as well as novel means for supporting and housing the filtering medium and to provide means for controlling the flow of mate, rial to the filter in accordance with the condition ofthe filtering medium.

Other objects and advantages wiil appear from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l represents a vertical section minates, however, as indicate through one form of structure embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view with parts in section on line 2--2 of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a section on line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a View in elevation of a filtering element or bag.

Fig. 5 is a section on line 5 5 of Fig. 4, and

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a cover forming part of a cage or holder 'for the filtering medium.

In' the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, I provide a filtering container 1() of pervious material, such, for example, as cloth of suitable strength and fineness of mesh. This container is therefore of bag-like character and will be hereinafter designated as a filter bag. ,This bag may be variously modified in details within the scope of the invention, but in the form illustrated, which is preferred because of its efficiency in operation and convenience of manufacture, it is constituted of a single sheet of fabric, folded upon itself as at 11, and stitched or sewed along the ends at 12, 12', and the edge at 13. The sea'ms may be reinforced at their ends by additional stitching as at 14. An opening 15 is left at any convenient point along the periphery of thelbag, preferably adjacent to one corner and at a position indicated in the drawing as the upper edge. This opening provides an entrance to the bag and may con'imunicate with any suitable device for supplying to the interior of the bag the material tobe filtered.

Intermediate of the edges, the walls of the bag are brought into juxtaposition in such manner as to provide a plurality of pockets or passages extending longitudinally of the bag. This may be conveniently accomplished by applying a row or rows of stitches, as at 16, securing the walls of the ba together through the major portion' o the length of the bag. The securin means terat 17, at

points spaced from the seam 12 There is thus formed a conduit or header 18, extending from the opening 15 entirely across the bag, and a plurality of pockets or filtering passages 19, leading from the header 18 and terminating at the opposite end of the bag at the seam 12.

The bag thus constituted is then arranged in a series of superposed layers, as by rolling it into the form of a spiral, the header 18 and opening 15- being preferably at the center. The walls of the bag around the opening 15 are secured over the discharge end of a suitable supply fitting 20, (Fig. 1) as by a wire 21 clamping the mouth of the bag in a groove 22 in the" fitting. The bag is preferably rolled 'rather tightly in the spiral, as it has been found that the length of service is thereby improved.

By reference to Fig. 1, it will be understood that `when a bag, 'formed as above described, is arranged in superposed layers, as by folding or rolling in the direction of the of the passages 19, and fluid under pressure is supplied to the interior of the bag, the fluid will flow into the" conduits or. passages 19 and distend the walls of the same so that they assume, in cross-section, a somewhat elliptical or diamond' shape. These superposed conduits will obviously contact with each other, and when distended will provide, between one series of conduits and the one next above or below, a passage 23 which will parallel the conduits 19'and will open at one end to the outside of the bag assembly. The material to befiltered which passes through the walls of the conduits 19 into the passages 23 findsfree exit along these passages to the space surrounding the bag.

The filter bag assembly may be supported or suspended in any suitable receptacle into which the filtered material is to be delivered. Since the filter as herein disclosed is especially designed for use in filtering the lubricating oil of an automobile power plant I have illustrated'the receptacle as of a form suitable for such use. It comprises, as shown, a cylindrical can having a side wall 25 and an end or bottom wall 26 which may be seamed together at 27 in the manner usual in 'making sheet metal Ware. Straps 28 may be clamped about the can by bolts 29. the ends 30 of the straps extending outwardly to serve as attaching means whereby the can and associated parts may be mounted upon a dash or other available base.

The side wall ofthe can at the end opposite the wall 26, indicated in the drawing as the. top or upper end, is flanged outwardly :it 31 to provide a seat for cover plate 32. The cover plate is removable to permit the insertion or removal of the filter assembly and is secured to the can as by bolts 33` a gasket 34 being positioned between cover and can.

1,7eaea4 The cover 32 serves as a support for the filter assembly which is positioned within the can and comprises a cage `35 of perforated or foraminous material, as wire netting, within which the filter body or bag 10 is retained. The top and bottom of the cage are closed` by end heads 36, 37, respectively, which may be identical and each of which is provided with a series of slots 38 to permit free exit of fluid from the cage. The end heads are flanged, as at 39, tovfit over the ends of the cylindrical screen wall 35 and the parts are secured together by threaded rods or bolts 40 extending through square apertures 39 in the heads, the upper ends of thebolts being squared to fit the apertures in head 36. The nut-s 41 on these rods may be locked by a metal strip 42, having holes through which the boltsl extend and bent downwardly at its ends 43 to prevent the nuts from turning.

The head 36 has a central non-circular aperture 44 adapted to fit the similarly shaped neck 45 of inlet fitting 20. The neck is screwthreaded above the non-circular portion and extends through a central aperture in the cover plate. The sleeve nut 45, engaging the screwthreaded portion of' the fitting serves to clamp the head'36 between the cover 32 and the shoulder 46 on the fitting. The filter assembly is thus secured rigidly to the cover 32 and may be inserted into the can or removed therefrom as a whole.

The cover 32 also serves as a support for the devices whereby supply of liquid tothe filter and delivery therefrom are controlled. These comprise a body having vertical inlet and outlet passages 51, 52, and horizontal passages, 53, 54. The passage 53 communicates with inlet passage 51 and is threaded to receive a pipe connection 55 leading from a pump or other suitable source of material to be filtered. Passage l54 communi-v cates through channel 56 with outlet passage 52, for normal delivery from the filter, and, through valve controlled channel 57, with passage 51 for by-passing the filter under ce1'- tain conditions. The passage 54 is also screwthreaded to receive pipe connection 58 leading to the delivery point for the oil or other material being filtered. i

The sleeve mit 45. which fits closely the passage 51, is formed with an annular groove 6() communicating through radial holes 6l with the hollow interior of the nut. which is connected. in turn, to the interior of the filter container 10 by the. bore 62 of" inlet fitting 20. Material to be filtered is therefon` introduced normally through pipe connect ion 55, passage 53, channel 60, holes 61, and the internal bores of nut 45 and fitting 2O to the filter body or bag.

Discharge from the interior ofthe filter receptacle or can occurs normally through the tubular outlet fitting 63 which extends through a hole in. the cover plate 32 near the lud llo

ri hery thereof. This fitting has a wrench lead) on the lower end en aging the under side of the cover plate, am? the upper end is exteriorly threaded. A sleeve 64 interiorly threaded atl both ends, engages at its lower end with the threads on fittmg 63. The sleeve is also provided with an exterior shoulder 65 seating on the annular ledge 66 in the passage 52. By rotating the fitting 63, the fitting and sleeve may be secured together and to the cover and at the same time the body 5() is clamped to the cover. The sleeve nut 45, by engagement of its head with the upper side of body 50. also serves to clamp the body to the cover. The bod 50 and its associated parts are therefore rigidly mounted upon the cover as a single assembly.

An annular space 67 is provided between sleeve 64 and the walls of passage 52 which communicates with the interior of the sleeve through holes 68 in the walls of the sleeve. The upper end of fitting 63 is formed as a valve seat for a ball check valve 69. Filtered material flowing from the filter will therefore pass normally through fitting 63, past valve 69 through holes 68 and space 67 to assage 56 and thence to the delivery pipe. he upper end of passage 52 will, of course, be closed in any suitable manner, as by cap nut 70 engaging the upper threads of sleeve 64. This nut may carry a pin 71 to restrict the movement of valve 69.

The opening 57, leading from annular channel 60 to passage 54, is formed with a valve seat to receive the ball valve 75 opening toward the passage 54 and held to its seat by a spring 6. The spring may be adjusted by a sleeve 77 engaging screw threads on the inner surface of passage 54. The pressure exerted on the valve by the spring will he sufiicient to prevent the opening of the valve under the normal pressure required for the circulation of the liquid. However, should the filter body become clogged, or for any other reason the fiow through the filter be hindered so as to cause a rise of pressure on the inlet side to a point predetermined by the adjustment of spring 76. then flow through the by-pass is permitted.

It is highly desirable to provide Ineans for ascertaining readily the conditions of flow through the filter so that. if clogging or derangcment has occurred. suitable repair or replacement may he made. 'l`o effect this result l have` provided an outlet from the discharge passage through fitting 63 comprising holes 8() extending radially through the walls of thel fitting through which communication is afforded between the hore of the fitting and an annular space 81 at the lower end of passage 52. T he space 81 communicates with the interior of a hollow boss 82 the outer end of which isclosed by a valve casing'83 in screwthreaded engagement with the internal walls of the boss. The interior of the sleeve is also screwthreaded to engage with the valve plug 84. This plug is provided with a central bore 85 the inner end of which opens to the periphery of the plug` through radial holes 86. A handle 87 is secured to the valve plug to facilitate lnanual operation. By rotation of this plug to the position shown 1n full lines in the drawing the opening 86 is placed in communication with the space 81 and a portion of the liquid flowing through the bore of fitting 63 is permitted to escape through holes 80, space 81, hole 86 and bore 85 to the outside, thus indicating that liquid is being forced through the filter. If, however. the bypass valve 75 is open and no liquid is passing through the filter, the check valve 69 will be in engagement with its seat and no flow will take place from the test cock. Upon completion of the test the valve plug may be rotated in a direction to move it outwardly, as to the dotted line position of the handle shown in the drawing. The hole 86 may be thus brought out of registry with the s ace inward of the valve sleeve 83 and the ead of the valve plug, which is, as shown, slightly enlarged, may be firmly seated against the inner end of the valve sleeve. Any leakage, or the unintentional removal of the valve plug, is thus prevented.

lVhen used in connection with the lubricating system of an internal combustion engine, as, for example, on an automobile, the filter may be interposed in one of the conduits leading from the oil pump so that the oil flowing to one bearing or set of bearings, or if desired, all of the oil from the pump, will be supplied to the filter inlet. The bypass valve will be adjuste'd to open at a pressure above that normally requlred to force the oil through the filter and below the maximum at whlch the pump is capable of delivering oil. Should the filter, therefore, for any reason afford to the flow of oil a resistance greater-than that for which the bypass valve provides, the latter at once opens thus preventing the interruption of supply to the lubricated devices.

Various changes in details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and therefore I do not wish to be limited to the specific structure herein disclosed except as required by the language of the appended claims in View of the prior art.

This a lication is a division of application Ser. o. 93,944, filed March 11, 1926.

I claim:

1. In a filterin Y device the combination with a receptacle aving an end closure pro vided with an aperture of a filter body comprising a bag. a cage having an end head and a fitting to which said bag is connected projecting through said head and providing a passage communicating with the interior of the bag, said fitting being received in said aperture, and means exterior to said closure to secure said fitting thereto, said head being secured by said fitting to said closure.

2. In a filtering device, the combination n 5 with a receptacle having closure with an aperture therethrough and a fiiter unit comprising a filter bag, a cage for said ba having an end head and a ipe fitting to wich said bag is connected, oi) means for securing said 10 unit to said cover comprising means engaging said fitting and arranged to secure sald fitting to said closure in cooperation with said aperture and to secure said head between said fitting and said closure.

15 In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

CHARLES W MCKINLEY. 

